PHILADELPHIA, May 26, 1823.

_My Dear Sir:_ I have put into the hands of my friend, Mr. Vaux,
a note for you which he will accompany with a communication on
the subject which now occupies you. Mr. Vaux will be hearty and
zealous in the cause, and I really deem it a subject of
congratulation to you, to procure the assistance of one who is
more able and willing than any individual of my acquaintance to
assist you. There is one thing which I wish to add. The Abolition
Society of this city, has been the subject, whether justly or not
I am unable to determine, of much hostility at a distance, and it
would be rather injurious than beneficial to have it supposed
that the society was active in the cause which you are
supporting. You will therefore understand that neither the
Abolition Society nor any other society has the least concern in
this matter. The simple fact is that Mr. Vaux, and two or three
of his friends, have been so much pleased with your past conduct
in relation to Slavery, and have so deep a sense of their duty to
resist the extension of that system, that they mean to volunteer
in assisting you, without any connections with any set of men,
and without any motives which the most honorable might not be
proud to avow.

Very sincerely,
yrs.,
N. BIDDLE.

EDWARD COLES, ESQ.,
Vandalia,
Illinois.

PHILADELPHIA, 5 Mo. 27, 1823.

TO EDWARD COLES, ESQ.:

_Esteemed Friend:_--My friend, Nicholas Biddle, has kindly
furnished me with a note of introduction to thy correspondence,
which is transmitted by the mail that conveys this letter. I
have been induced thus to solicit access to thy notice, because
thy conduct in relation to the emancipation of thy slaves could
not fail to beget great respect for an individual whose noble,
and generous example displayed so much practical wisdom, and
Christian benevolence. Nor has it been less gratifying to be
informed of thy official efforts to prevent the overthrow of
those constitutional barriers, which were erected to protect the
State of Illinois, from the moral, and political evils
inseparable from domestic slavery.

It is really astonishi